Ogun assembly passes bill criminalising land grabbing

The Ogun State House of Assembly has passed a bill proposing 25 years imprisonment for anyone found guilty of fraudulent conduct and forceful takeover of landed property in the state into law.The Majority Leader of the assembly, Adeyinka Mafe, moved the motion for the third reading of the bill and seconded by Adebowale Ojuri.

The Deputy Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo said that the bill also spelt out N5 million fine or 10 years imprisonment or both for anyone found guilty of placing on any land or landed property any agent for the purpose of forceful takeover of the said land.

He noted that no family shall have the right to demand for gratification or disturb the peace of a lawful occupant, adding that anyone found guilty shall be liable to N200, 000 fine or three years imprisonment.

On kidnapping, Oluomo said that where the person kidnapped, detained or seized died in the course, the offenders shall be liable in conviction to such punishment as provided for the offence of murder in the criminal code law of the state.

The Speaker of the assembly, Suraj Adekunbi, has directed that the clean copy of the bill be forwarded to the Governor for his assent.